Skunk ape?  Balding ape?  Varmik?  It's the Hassk Thug, a McQuarrie-inspired triplet which is one of very few denizens of the castle on Takodana to get a figure.   It's one of those things fans need to start demanding, like a Lin-Manuel Miranda for some reason or another.  Anyway, how is he?  I'd say get one, but read on to see what I wrote in the review.

We're back - but not every day!   I gotta sleep once in a while.  Let's look at the nifty Kylo Ren Unmasked, released earlier this year and unlikely to be at a store near you.  He was popular.   He's also more than an old body with a new head - Hasbro did the work on this one.

If you've been waiting, HasbroToyShop.com added its 2016 SDCC Exclusives including Star Wars Kylo Ren, Jyn Erso, and Obi-Wan Kenobi.  These are sold out.   However, some other items like Micronauts and Transformers remain.  Click here to see inventory.

Update: August 9!  Be there!

Correction: While we don't have a time or date yet, we're told to expect HasbroToyShop.com to post the date of sale for its remaining SDCC 2016 exclusives Tuesday.   This would include any remaining 6-inch Jyn Erso (standard figure with photos, unique packaging), Obi-Wan Kenobi (unique packaging and electornic accessory), and Rilo Kiley (Kylo Ren helmet, unmasked head, unique package, Vader helmet, base, flag).   At press time I do not have a confirmation that variant head Kylo Ren is or isn't coming out down the road - so you may want to keep reloading to get these, whenever that time may be.

No 3 3/4-inch figures were sold at the show.  (For Star Wars.) 

Hasbro previewed the latest offerings from their various brands as part of their SDCC agenda. The private press only event featured various games, photo-ops, and playable plastic that were complimented with scrambled eggs and hashbrowns. While nothing new and upcoming were previewed, we were treated to closer looks at their 3 convention exclusives.

Ad: The Star Wars Mystery 3 3/4-Inch Figures - EE Exclusive is up for pre-order right now and includes Free Shipping in the USA! Specifics are not yet posted, but the set includes 6 different 3 3/4-inch scale action figures that are promised to fit in well with The Vintage Collection and The Black Series. More will be announced at San Diego this week. Click here to see more and pre-order yours now!

It's that time - you have to vote now, as that's the headline at StarWars.com's article Vote Now for the Next Black Series Figure!!    Darth Talon, Starkiller, Jaina Solo, Mara Jade, and Captain Rex all made 5 out of our Top 6 so I'm quite astonished to see that reflected on the official site's final voting.   I won't tell you who I voted for, but if you click here now you can see the current results when you place your vote.

Nerdist revealed a surprisingly early burst of looks at new Rebels and movie products which, no doubt, will be part of the Rogue One branded offering during the final months of 2016.   Highlights include:

Hera's A-Wing (oooh)

Electronic 12-inch Kanan Jarrus

Electronic 12-inch Darth Vader

12-inch ROTJ Speeder Bike with Biker Scout

3 3/4-inch Jakku Rey in Scavenger Outfit

Toys R Us will have an exclusive Black Series 6-inch set of Star Wars Droids during San Diego Comic-Con, but will not be at Comic-Con.  As I work for Entertainment Earth and will be working on the booth for the show, I reached out to me for confirmation - and I can confirm this item will be sold online.  (I also assume at stores later.)  The droids are identified as R2-A3, R5-K6, and R2-F2 on the packaging.

Entertainment Earth Booth #2343 will be selling a number of other items for Toys R Us as well as their own exclusives, including some other Star Wars and Hasbro items. Click here to see the droid item at Toys R Us' web site.

We're back with Fan's Choice!  Hasbro has asked for your input on the next new action figure.  It's going to be just like last year - you can leave a comment below or email me at this address, (it's over) and I'll tally the results.   Like last year we got Sabine Wren and Darth Revan, this is your chance to vote for a future 6-inch The Black Series action figure. 

Additional notes added July 7: Please do not request figures that have already been released or announced.  Please do not send duplicate entries.   Please do not send a list of characters - only one will be counted.

Here are the rules per edict of Hasbro:

Hasbro unveils Black Series awesomeness for the 2016 Summer Conventions. A TBS 6 inch series Kylo Ren will be offered at Celebration Europe at the Forbidden Planet booth while a TBS 6 inch Obi-Wan Kenobi pack will be at the Hasbro booth at San Diego Comic-Con! Read on for more!

She's out!  Kmart's Rey (Starkiller Base) 6-inch The Black Series action figure is making the rounds and is being placed on shelves as I write this.  Might your one or two remaining stores have them?  You'll have to go look, because the product finder on their web site isn't working properly.   Each figure is $24.99, assuming of course you find one.  I located one at one of the final Mart of K outposts in Phoenix, AZ this afternoon.

We'll be tackling these - or at least one of these - in Figure of the Day very soon, but it seemed prudent to give you the lowdown on this awesome gift set now just in case you were waffling over buying it or just a couple of single figures.   This 4-pack costs less than 3 individual figures at most stores, plus sports one exclusive figure and accessories to boot.  When you see the Takodana Encounter you'll say "Octopus, right?"  (I think that's what it is, I never took Japanese.)

If you like you can order this item at our sponsor Entertainment Earth or on Amazon.com.

This action figure set comes in a box that's pretty much the same size and shape as last year's "Digital Release" boxed sets for all six films - on a shelf, this would look very nice next to them.   In it you'll find Finn (repack of individual figure), Rey (repack of individual figure), BB-8 (the Scavengers version), and Maz Kanata (new).  The two "combine weapons" are gone, but instead you'll find a lightsaber hilt, a lightsaber, and a trunk - the perfect place to store your priceless religious heirlooms in the basement of a bar.  In short: you'll be wanting one.

Want to be a part of the Hasbro booth at Comic-Con this year?  Here's your chance!   Hasbro sent along some new information to us today regarding taking some fan photos, and sharing them with the rest of the world in San Diego come July.   Want to know the full details?  Or better yet, want to participate?  Keep reading.  Update: background photos are now available.

In "news that can scare youse" news, Target stores have a $29.99 3-pack of 12-inch (1:6 scale) droid action figures from Star Wars: The Force Awakens.  Given no prior publicity or announcement, these sets include R0-4L0, C-3PO, and BB-8 - not a bad deal.  However, don't limit your search to the toy department - I found all of these sets and other toys in the DVD/movie/Blu-Ray section on an endcap.  Happy hunting!